Madison — Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp on Tuesday defended Gov. Scott Walker's plan to turn the Natural Resources Board into an advisory panel, instead of one that makes policy, even as she acknowledged she had not been consulted on the proposal in advance.

"I feel that it's extra layers," Stepp said of the board in a briefing to the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. "I think it's duplicative."

The idea has sparked opposition from Democrats as well as some of Walker's fellow Republicans. Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) said he had "some concerns" about the plan.(57)

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp., then so is chief executive Michael Koss, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

In a suit filed last week, the bank argues that if a jury finds Park Bank liable for the loss, then Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, the firm's former auditor, should have to pay some of the award.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," Park Bank wrote in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss in this case those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(2)

Rodgers, WAUK-AM strike deal

Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers has joined WAUK-AM (540) as a regular weekly guest during the National Football League season and playoffs, the station announced Tuesday afternoon.

The president of Good Karma Broadcasting, Craig Karmazin, said the deal with Rodgers was for more than two years. Karmazin declined to say how much the station is paying Rodgers.

Good Karma Broadcasting owns WAUK, which brands itself as 540 ESPN and ESPNMilwaukee.com. It is one of two all sports-talk stations in the Milwaukee market.

Karmazin said the time and day of Rodgers’ spots has not been set. He said that will be determined after the Packers set their regular schedule for the season.

“He’ll be joining us for an on-air segment each beginning with the first week of the NFL season and going through the Super Bowl, whether the Packers are in the Super Bowl or not,” Karmazin said. “In addition, he will be appearing at some of our station events and heavily involved in the marketing of the station.”

According a station press release, his appearances on WAUK “will mark Rodgers’ only Wisconsin radio appearances,” which means he will not be doing segments with other stations in the state, but does not mean he won’t be on national radio shows, if he so chooses.

Karmazin said the negotiations “were easy” between the station and the company that represents Rodgers, RBSH Enterprises. Karmazin said the two sides have been talking for about eight months and that discussions were initiated by Rodgers’ representatives. He said the deal was struck before the playoffs started this past season.

Karmazin made the announcement on WAUK at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday during Steve True's show.

"For him it's clearly not about the money," Karmazin told listeners. "We are not going to be able to pay him more than all these other brands out there. It's because he likes working with you guys."

About Bob Wolfley

Bob Wolfley retired in October 2014 He wrote the SportsDay blog and column and about TV and radio issues.